Author Archive: Jose Lee

EP is music acronym which means “extended play record” or basically “extended play.” It’s a compilation of songs created most of the times for promotional purposes. It also covers the central ground between a single and a full length music album. Extended Play Records are normally around four to six songs in length and are mostly created using original tracks which were never released before by any artists.

The Typical Purposes of EPs

There are many reasons why musicians release Eps, however, they are mostly used for promotional purposes. It’s used to introduce new music bands, to maintain interest for an artist alive between full length releases, to assist tour promotion, as presents and incentives for subscribing to mailing lists or purchasing presentation tickets, and many more.

Other reasons why artists create EPs are:

EPs can also serve as a solution for artists wanting to release something more than just a single but can’t pay for the studio time to record a full length music album. It can also suit sufficient music to be a more complete project but are still short to necessitate fewer studio time than a ten to twelve song full length music album.

There are also musicians who use EPs to try with new music styles or experiment in fewer marketable sounds than their full length music albums.

Moreover, there are times that EPs are utilized to release B sides and unreleased music tracks which were initially cut from the full length music album.

Creating Your Own Extended Play Record

Perhaps, you are wondering how to get started with creating your own EP. Whether you’re looking after giving away an EP for free or merely sell it, you must bear in mind the following questions prior to the making of your own Extended Play:

Who are you making the EP for? (Consider who’ll listen to your music, their age, location, etc.)

What music style and tone would you like to present?

Would the songs be all new or a combination of your former output together with your new tracks?

Where do you intend to record your EP?

What is your EP’s distribution plan?

What would you request in return for the EP? (For instance, newsletter sign up or subscription, tweets, etc.)

After noting on a piece of paper your answer to all these questions, you can then begin by:

Selecting the correct four to six tracks. Consider collating all your unreleased songs in order to make an alluring new product.

Selecting a music style. Besides choosing music genre you’d like to feature, consider diversifying your tracks to showcase your broad range of musical talent. For instance, your first couple of tracks could be more “mellow” type while the last couple of tracks could be buoyant and exhilarating.

Arranging your Extended Play record. Aside from selecting the right song style, you might also desire to acquire an introduction and an outro as well to verge your songs. Artistic path or song-flow would require you to consider the assembly of the overall record when you’re making your own extended play to evade a rambling series of songs in a single EP.

Making quality effort. Make sure of using the best quality recording studio when recording your extended play because nothing worse than discovering that your EP sounds like it’s been flung together at the very last moment. Bear in mind that your EP is your very own portfolio, be sure it reveals your best quality work and output.

The online music fraternity has opened up avenues for a diverse genre of artistes. One can tap in the online mediums to acquaint themselves with a diverse and engaging culture of self-published original music. The means are endless when it comes to music production, but one thing remains of constant importance- nailing the vocals.

Not everyone has got the setup for a professional recording studio. But, there are some essentials, which if done right can effectively help one reach that level of the desired perfection. Let’s discuss the same:

Getting the headphone mix bang on- The headphone mix makes it easier for singers to navigate easily. Moreover, a self-tuned monitor level helps the singers be comfortable with the desired pitch and throw.

Getting the right stereo phone- The vocal output is as good as the reception. Therefore, it is foolhardy to rely on budget microphones. Investing on a good and branded microphone s essential for capturing goo vocals.

Rehearsing- Voice modulation and other tweaks aside, the good old fashioned exercise of rehearsing multiple times before final take is of importance. You can never leave anything to chance.

Getting the room aesthetics right- Good microphones are sensitive to sound. They pick up the direct sound as well as reflected ones. Minimize sound clutter by improving the sound aesthetics of the recording room.

Minimizing popping and sibilance- The untrained singers can have this problem. The annoying low-end boost can be minimized by fine tuning the angle and distance if the microphone. Testing it multiple times before taking does help.

Minimizing internal noise- While the room aesthetics can take care of external noises, the internal noise like footsteps can also join in the equation. A good way to counter that is to use shock mount to isolate the microphone and the stand.

Using compression- Now this trick can have some pessimistic views but is worth giving a try. To cut out the unevenness of voice, a little compression while recording does help. One can target for about 5-8dB of gain reduction to get the optimum output.

Abolish gating from your recording exercise- A gate, if badly set up can effectively ruin a take. The amateurs especially should keep the gating exercise for the mixing stage.

Get the grammar right- Yes, this is actually important. Overemphasis on consonants can cause the unnecessary hiss that can ruin the balance of the song. Focusing more on vowels will help normalize the air intake in case of consonants. This is an advanced technique and needs practice.

Imagining audience- Now, this is a psychological thing rather than technical. Imagining an audience in front of the singer will help the singer with the sincerity and believability that a live performance requires.

There are obviously more advanced techniques for better takes, but keeping true to these basics does help-especially if you are Indie singer.

The history of American folk music had yielded a pool of top singers or songwriters, artists, and bands in the world. The list below shows but focused more with folk singers and rock artists. Here are some of the paramount traditional music artists of all time, in alphabetical order.

The Alamanac Singers

The first folk music excellent group is no other than “The Almanacs”. It turned to be the successful careers The first folk music excellent group is no other than “The Almanacs”. It turned to be the successful careers Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Burl Ives, Josh White and different other people who were responsible for the founding staple of the group or who hinged them on events. Seeger and Hays then formed “The Weavers” singing group.

Ani DiFranco

Perhaps, Ani DiFranco can be considered as the most popular Gen-X traditional singer. After releasing her self-titled debut in the year 1990, she was able to build an exceptionally excellent fan base everywhere in the world. She was indeed an effective independent record label out of her hometown in Buffalo, NY. She gets an average of one album every year which is her work. She was also able to slide in many cooperation and profit albums. It’s aside from, her endless trip schedules.

Ben Harper

Ben Harper is considered to be one of the best and unsurpassed folk artists around the globe. He’s able to maintain a kind of fad following for over a period of ten years, fetching his soulful traditional bent to rather piercing protest piece of songs and chants concerning impartiality and the social experience. Irrespective of his fame, by his melancholy, instinctive song writing abilities, he was able to be recognized as one of the best!

Bob Dylan

The list of great folk music could not be completed without permission to Mr. Bob Dylan. His song – writing has traversed every corner and crevice of Americana, commencing from the blues toward folk toward rock and roll. His influence is undeniably felt by every aspect of American music. From early 1960s current harmonies to his famous songs of today, Mr. Dylan is simply once of the paramount American traditional artists.

The Carter Family

American folk music could never be completed without the Carter Family. Their music helped motivate people like Bob Dylan. “This Land is Your Land” melody, composed by Woody Guthrie’s, was inspired from a longstanding Carter Family harmony. There was one in the name of, Johnny Cash, who grew up listening to them on the radio. Almost every folk artist came up listening to the Carter Family and learns their songs. The influence of Carter Family is truly felt on modern folk music.

Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens, alias Yusuf Islam, was one of the supreme influential traditional singer/songwriters during the year 1970s. His melodies were peace-focused and blended facets of classic pop with modern traditional music. It made him highly distinguished with his contemporaries. One of his songs, Wild World, had even attracted and covered by artists of different genres.

Charlie Poole

Back in the year 1920s, Charlie Poole was one of the primary stars of the old time scene. He’s the lead singer of the North Carolina Ramblers and this led him to become highly influential on the instituting fathers of the American bluegrass. Their melody “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” became a country-folk standard in the latter years of 1920s.

Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer

No argument at all, Dave Carter was one of the finest song writers of his time. In his cooperation with Portland fiddle player Tracy Grammer, the duo coped to sing and perform their means into the hearts of fans, even just for a short time before Carters died in 2002. Their debut album was covered in their kitchen, and later became a favorite hits among fanatic enthusiasts around the country.

Dave Van Ronk

One of the most significant personalities in the Greenwich Village traditional music scene during the 60s is no other than Dave Van Ronk. He’s an activist and a songwriter at the same time. Also were a Merchant Marine and a former barbershop quartet member. But what placed him on the map was his scene involvement. There’s actually a street named after him in the West Village of New York.

Doc Watson

Dan Watson became an inspiration with a number of other influential traditional artists like Bob Dylan. He’s a master flat-picker, a gifted instrumentalist indeed.

Prepare to party and have fun this summer as we bring you the most exciting upcoming events in the city of Chicago!

First stop, relive the ‘90s as Dixie Chicks will bring back their greatest hits plus their covers of the latest songs of Beyonce and Lana Del Ray. Catch their show this June 3- 5, 2016 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Seriously, who didn’t love the 90s? There’s going to be some amazing piano solos and C-Town Piano Movers in Chicago is delivering and setting up the piano! Shout to the guys over there since I know they’ve been hustling to work on “bigger” stages. Also, you can buy your tickets here!

Don’t miss Chicago’s biggest EDM festival, Spring Awakening Music Festival, as they take the party in a new location at Addams/Medill Park on June 10- 12, 2016. Have fun, party and dance till you drop to 100 performances on five stages. Also, don’t miss out on their carnival rides which are perfect for your kids! Get your tickets here now!

The LakeShake Festival started last year and due to its success, another LakeShake Festival will be held this year on June 17- 19, 2016 at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion. Watch out for the exciting guests such Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean and many more. Though this event will run for a whole weekend, single day tickets will also be available. You don’t have to worry as we’re sure, you’ll get your money’s worth! You can purchase your tickets here and have fun on LakeShake Festival.

Prepare for a rocking July and witness this show with your own sweet child. Watch the iconic band Guns N’ Roses as they belt out their greatest hits on July 1- 3, 2016 at Soldier Field, South Loop.

One of the most well- loved English singer, Adele, will come from the other side and say hello to its fans from Chicago. Catch her performance on July 10- 13, 2016 at United Center, Near West Side. Get your tickets now or else you’ll miss out on one of the highlights of this summer!

Coldplay is next in line to serenade the people of Chicago as they bring their hits on Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 23 and 24, 2016. Get your tickets here and don’t miss their performance this summer.

Wye Oak is one of the most promising indie singers in the town. This two- man band can fill up a whole venue of their music entertaining everyone who come across of their music. Catch their live performance in Thalia Hall in Pilsen on August 3, 2016. You can get your tickets here.

Party with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa as they jam with you on their one- night concert in Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park on August 16, 2016. We can expect their show to be laid- back and relaxed as these two both love to “chill.” You can get your tickets here and catch their performances live.

Billy Joel will return for the third time to serenade us with his piano ballads. Last year, Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence surprised the audience of dancing in top of his piano so we’ll never what’s in store for us this year. Get your tickets here.

We hope we’ll be able to be on the big stage soon but we’ll keep hustling until then.

Which if these upcoming shows will you be attending to? Share you answers in the comments below!

Hello folks!!! It’s me again to give you a brief rundown on what’s been going on in the band. I know I have been a little behind, but I will try to give updates a little closer together.

Well, where to start…. Well we have been playing shows both in and around Ohio and trying out some of the new material. We have been mixing it with the stuff from the CD and it seems to be going over pretty good. As we continue to play we will be adding more of the new stuff into the set to see what kind of response it gets. As the weeks go on we will be starting to demo the stuff and maybe we will even try to put a portion of some of the new stuff on the site. We have continued writing and have completed more new songs for the upcoming CD, so we have many songs to pick from and I can hardly wait to unveil all of the new stuff.

We have been out and about playing and meeting some new bands and a lot of new friends. We have played with some really cool bands lately and look forward to having a good time with all of you again very soon and I promise that we will not get you sick!! All of us in the band have had some kind of flu bug recently, but we are all slowly but surely getting well.

In other cool news we have a couple of new distributors in both the US and in Europe. We are all pretty happy with the changes and we think that it will help us to get our music out to a larger market worldwide. Check the record label site to find out more details on the changes.

As always we thank you for taking the time and checking out website and we hope that you return often, things change quickly so check back and find out the latest news on Further Lo!!!!!